Eco Friendly- Fashion(copied from an article in the Chicago Tribune)

Are you planning to buy a new outfit? Something casual? Or even somthing elegant and dressy? Have you considered going green the next time you shop for clothes? If not, give it some serious thought. There are some clothes that are as sylish as they are eco-friendly.

You might not think of bamboo as being luxurious and soft against your skin, but it is just that; soft, silky, breathable and very envrionmentally friendly. Bamboo is a highly sustainable fabric.

Making a choice to wear eco-friendly clothing doesn't mean dressing like a hippie from the 60's, unless that's the look you want. You can find whimsical designs in recycled cashmere as well as hemp- and- silk for evening ocassions. As Sharon Glasser of Whole Foods LifeSyle Store says "It's elegant, you see it on the red carpet. It's not about being crunchy granola anymore."

Baby's skin is delicate and nothing is nicer against that soft skin than 100 percent organic cotton clothing. All-natural toys can be put into little mouths without the worry of chemicals.

Comfortable feet are everything for most people and there are some good-looking organic shoes that feel good. Some shoes have recycled tires for soles, getting even more mileage out of tires no longer use on cars. Looking for a new handbag? Matt and Nat make purses that look and feel like leather, but they're 100 percent vegan, complete with the PETA stamp of approval. Designer Kim White took rolls of fabric from vintage cars and created unusual and beautiful fashion-forward handbags.

Here are some links to places to buy eco-friendly apparel and accessories:

wholefoodsmarket.com

deborahlindquist.com

kimwhitehandbags.com

bamboosa.com

mattandnat.com